23 Weeks Pregnant
At 23 weeks pregnant your baby is about the size of a grapefruit. You are in the second trimester, and this week brings its own small changes — for your baby and for you.
- Size of
- a grapefruit
- Length
- 28.9 cm
- Weight
- 501 g
- Trimester
- 2
Your baby this week
- The lungs form the tiny branches that will one day carry air.
- Familiar voices and music can make your baby move or settle.
- The skin is less transparent as pigment develops.
Your body this week
- A few drops of colostrum may leak from your breasts.
- Weight gain becomes steady, usually a few hundred grams a week.
Common symptoms
- Swollen feet and ankles by the end of the day
- A dull ache in the lower back
- Painless tightenings that come and go
What to expect
The middle months are usually the steadiest part of pregnancy. Energy often returns, the bump becomes visible, and appointments settle into a routine. With 17 weeks to go, this is a good time to plan ahead while you feel well.
Tips for this week
- Your gestational diabetes test will be offered soon, usually weeks 24–28.
- Drink water through the day; dehydration worsens tiredness and headaches.
- Book antenatal classes — good ones fill up early.
Frequently asked questions
How many months is 23 weeks pregnant?
23 weeks is about 5.5 months. Pregnancy months do not divide evenly into weeks, so counting in weeks is more precise.
How big is my baby at 23 weeks?
At 23 weeks your baby is around a grapefruit — roughly 28.9 cm long and about 501 g. Healthy babies vary a lot around these averages.
What symptoms are normal at 23 weeks pregnant?
The most common ones this week are listed above. Contact your doctor or midwife about heavy bleeding, severe pain, a fever, or any change in your baby’s movements.
Pregnancy weeks are counted from the first day of your last period, so week 1 begins before conception.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or midwife about your own pregnancy.